TOPPA TOP 17: THE BEST DANCEHALL SINGLES OF 2017

8. Ishawna, “Equal Rights”

Ishawna released the most polarizing dancehall track (and arguably video) of 2017 in “Equal Rights.” Borrowing the dancehall-inspired rhythm from Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” (the year’s most streamed song) and a song title from Peter Tosh, the Seaview Gardens native used the record to express her thoughts about cunnilingus and bedroom reciprocity, sparking heavy contention from some dancehall fans and artists like Bounty Killer. Haters notwithstanding, it proved to be the former Downsound recording artist’s biggest hit yet. — Sharine Taylor